The Penguins made their first player move of what promises to be an active off-season, signing Filip Hållander to a two-year deal with an AAV of $775 K.
Regarded as a strong two-way player, the 24-year-old forward blossomed into a top scorer in the Swedish Hockey League this season. In 51 games for Timra IK, he tallied 26 goals and 53 points to go with a plus-16. Dare I say, Ville Koivunen-type production.
A second-round pick of the Pens back in 2018 (58th overall), Hållander’s black-and-gold career has taken a somewhat circuitous route. He was traded to Toronto in August 2020 in the six-player swap that brought Kasperi Kapanen to the ‘Burgh.
In one of former GM Ron Hextall’s more infamous trades, Hållander was reacquired from the Maple Leafs along with a seventh-round pick on the eve of the 2021 Expansion Draft for Jared McCann. McCann was promptly left unprotected by then-Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and claimed by Seattle, where he blossomed into a 40-goal scorer.
As for Hållander? He spent the next two seasons skating for the Baby Pens. Following a so-so first season in ’21-22 (14 goals, 28 points in 61 games) the Swedish forward put up solid numbers (11 goals, 33 points in 43 games) the following campaign. However, in two very brief cameos with the Pens totaling three games over two seasons, he barely touched the ice (8:36 ATOI).
No great surprise, since the 6’1” 190-pounder isn’t known for his speed and Mike Sullivan was calling the shots behind the bench.
The lack of opportunities convinced Hållander to return to Sweden.
But now?
With Sully moving on, presumably to greener pastures, the door may be opening for players like Hållander who aren’t regarded as plus skaters. Perhaps former first-round pick Sam Poulin, who’s had difficulty cracking the lineup, will be granted a reprieve as well.
Rumors surfaced a couple months back that Hallander was coming back across the pond. Not sure what I think about that though. Hopefully, it isn’t too late for the kid.